OpenAI fires Saudi employee accused of planting a bug in its executive conference room

Federal prosecutors have charged Abdulrahman Alfozan, a 35-year-old Saudi Arabian software engineer, with illegally intercepting oral communications after discovering a "sophisticated recording device" hidden in the executive conference room of OpenAI's San Francisco office on September 30. OpenAI alleges Alfozan, who worked on one of their product teams since July 2025, installed the device just days prior and concealed it in toilet paper.

The device was encrypted, so the company was unable to determine the exact communications it recorded. According to OpenAI, the FBI investigation revealed Alfozan had used a productivity tool to gather information about OpenAI's meeting rooms, calendars, and executive locations. CCTV footage showed Alfozan entering the conference room multiple times without authorization.

The Department of Justice stated that Alfozan faces up to five years in prison, a potential $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release if convicted. OpenAI has fired Alfozan, who they described as a security threat due to the alleged breach of confidential information.